Policy submissions

Here you’ll find a wide selection of policy papers and submissions we’ve published. Each paper draws on our experience working with disadvantaged youth, families and communities.

Creating a just and safe Northern Territory
- 12 August 2016
Jesuit Social Services’ election platform, Creating a just and safe Northern Territory, calls on parties and candidates to commit to two key areas for action to tackle the root causes of disadvantage: 1. Ensure all children and young people have the opportunity to flourish Ensure all children have access to early childhood education and health…
Jesuit Social Services’ response to the Victorian state disability plan 2017-2020
- 15 July 2016
This submission draws on Jesuit Social Services’ experience engaging with vulnerable people and communities throughout Australia. It focuses on the intersections of disability with complex needs, disadvantage and involvement in the justice system. Get your copy Download Jesuit Social Services response to the Victorian state disability plan
Enabling Justice Project Consultation Paper
- 22 June 2016
This Consultation Paper is the result of a collaboration between Jesuit Social Services and RMIT University’s Centre for Innovative Justice, which addresses the over-representation of people with acquired brain injuries (ABIs) in the criminal justice system. The paper gives voice to the experience of participants in the Enabling Justice Project who have an ABI and…
Senate Inquiry into the indefinite detention of people with cognitive and psychiatric impairment in Australia
- 27 April 2016
This submission responds to the 2015 Senate Inquiry into the indefinite detention of people with cognitive and psychiatric impairment in Australia. The submission focuses on people with cognitive impairment, however, many of its recommendations are also relevant to people with psychiatric impairment within the criminal justice system. The submission identifies that Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders, people with a…
Submission to the Victorian State Budget 2016-17
- 8 April 2016
Our submission the 2016-17 Victorian State Budget calls on the Andrews government to invest in five priority areas: Implementing place-based approaches to address entrenched disadvantage. Ensuring there is a full continuum of diversion in Victoria’s youth justice system. Building an effective and sustainable adult criminal justice system. Enhancing pathways to participation for people who are disengaged…
Re-engaging disadvantaged learners in education, training and employment
- 31 March 2016
Our policy paper looks at ways to re-engage disadvantaged learners in the Victorian Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector. Vulnerable learners often face a number of barriers to engaging in education such as caring responsibilities, inadequate accommodation, physical and mental health conditions, disability, negative experiences of schooling and low levels of confidence in the classroom.…
The Living Conditions of People Seeking Asylum in Australia
- 1 December 2015
Our paper describes the living conditions of people seeking asylum currently living in the Australian community. It focuses on the more than 27,000 asylum seekers who have arrived by boat and live in the community, awaiting the processing and outcome of their protection application. Most people seeking asylum currently living in Australia receive little or…
Response to the Victorian Inquiry into the Labour Hire Industry and Insecure Work
- 1 November 2015
Our policy response proposes eight key ways to improve labour hire arrangements for Victorian workers, businesses and the broader community. It conveys our experience of particular groups in the Victorian community who are more likely to become ‘trapped’ in insecure work. We recommend: Funding alternative labour hire models that are able to meet the needs…
Response to the Victorian Government's What's Important to YOUth? discussion paper
- 1 November 2015
Our policy response makes 28 recommendations on what should be done to improve educational, training and employment opportunities for young people, as well as their mental health, housing and their lives in general. Get your copy Download Jesuit Social Services’ response to the What’s Important to YOUth? discussion paper
Too much too young: Raise the age of criminal responsibility to 12
- 24 October 2015
Our paper urges all Australian governments to increase the age of criminal responsibility in Australia from 10 to 12. The minimum age of criminal responsibility across all Australian jurisdictions is 10, despite extensive scientific evidence the brains of children under 12 are not adequately developed for them to be criminally responsible. We make six key…